A week after a tree-laden cliff in Cortes town gave in to a landslide temporarily blocking the national highway, nearby residents have been asking, where's the promised clearing operation? Authorities from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, heavy trees with dense foliage forced the face of the cliff to give in bringing down a torrent of limestone which blocked the national highway along Sitio Lilo-an, barangay Poblacion Cortes Tuesday, March 8. Believing in the theory, residents have agreed with the DENR that cutting the huge trees and trimming the bushes on the cliff side can reduce the tension and hold the steep precipice from falling into the road and possibly hitting commuters. The Maghinays, who along with his children's houses rest across the highway that separates them from danger said they have been used to the threat and they do not think that the cliff topples off in a landslide if the authorities realize their promise.

Cortes Mayor Apolinaria Balistoy and provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio had accordingly promised them that a team would trim the trees to unburden the cliff side. Atop the steep cliff not 200 meters from where the landslide happened is a house about 15 meters away from the precipice. But house owner Aquilino Dagamac Jr. said between their house and the cliff are cracks which would seem to indicate that a huge part of their property would topple down to the highway around 50 meters below. “Had it not for these that we planted along the edge, this could fall,” his wife Nilda pointed indicating golden duranta hedges they accordingly planted. Looking down below the hedges is a hollow side of cliff only supported by a huge boulder where a handful of balite grows. “Should this boulder fall off, it could flatten a car,” Aqulino Jr said, emphasizing that the rock holding the ledge is as big as a multicab.

The Dagamacs, along with the Maghinay family who lives may be dependent upon the burden the rain would continue to infuse into the dangerous, rain-soaked, tree burdened precipice believed trimming the trees can be a palliative step in keeping the stability of the cliff while restorative efforts could not be done. “Asked if authorities had warned them about relocating to a safer ground, the Dagamacs said a team composed of personnel from the municipal hall inspected their lot, but nothing happened,” according to Nilda. “Besides, we do not have the resources to start off anew,” Dagamac stated. On the other hand, the Maghinays echoed the same thing. Once, we were helped us transfer, but it is here where we live, Procesa Maghinay said. If they can help us and give us an alternative livelihood, we will go, husband Nong Dodo Maghinay said. “Maayo pa gani walay balay kay sa walay pamugas,” he quipped. As long as they can trim the trees, I know the cliff will hold. We should know we were here then that super typhoon stripped the roof from the church, her husband Nong Dodo added in Cebuano. (rac)